Seek to be True, Not Just to be Right

Posted on by charliej373

Fiery furnace

I published this piece a little over three years ago. It is more urgent to contemplate now than it was then. The bolded italic comments in red are my current comments on the original text:

Most men will forgive you for being wrong. Some will never forgive you for being right

It may surprise some that most of my life I have rarely had much confidence that I was right on the matter of my predictions.

First off, the older I got, the more conscious I became of how peculiar this all is…and how unlikely it was that the world and its value systems could be completely upended in the short period of my lifetime. Second, this stuff was scary. I desperately wanted to be proved wrong so I would not have to deal with it. Third, for about two decades it pleased the Lord to give me a little information on immediate things, let me work out what it meant, then show me what He actually meant – and I was always wrong. Sometimes in little ways, sometimes in big ways, but I never got it exactly right. I was almost always the smartest kid in my earthly classes. It was a profoundly humbling experience to be constantly shown how slow-witted I actually was. It was humbling to have my angel congratulate me with real enthusiasm for the equivalent of getting three out of 20 on my test right rather than my usual one or two.

It was a hard method of training, but it accomplished some important things. First, it showed me that even with angelic help and even with high native intelligence and much study, I was frequently wrong. It burned the vanity out of me that I had deciphered the mind of God right well. Eventually it taught me that merely trying to be right was an errant goal in the first place. Oh, I was responsible to do everything I could to get it right, but the important thing was to be true, true to the promise I had made to God from the time I was about seven – to undergo instruction and to go forth to His people IF these things I were shown came to pass; to defend the faith, hearten the faithful, and defend the faithful and assure them He intended their reclamation, not their destruction. IF these things came to pass.

Being true meant that I would often fail, but that God never would. Someone who seeks to be right usually defends his errant theories even after he knows they are wrong in important ways. It is a vanity. Being true means acknowledging your errors as soon as you know them – to God and to men – and thus taking a step closer to what is right. Being true means acknowledging you may be wrong on some of your most cherished totems, even as you advocate for them with vigor. Being true means abandoning those totems as soon as you know they are errant, but only for that reason – NEVER just to go with the flow. Being true means respecting the honorable conscience of others even on those things you are nearly certain of rather than trying to grind them into dust, trusting that so long as their heart is honorable, God will correct them in His time – or He will correct you. Being true means treating argumentation as a means of drawing closer to truth, not a contest for dominance.

By the time I got to my Priest directors a few decades ago, I had come to think my heavenly visitors were probably true, not just a peculiar way a powerful intuition manifested itself in me. I was not proud; I was terrified. If my visitations were true, we had a terrible crisis coming, a crisis that would rock the foundations of the world…and I would be caught in the center of it. I desperately wanted it not to be true. When I went to my first spiritual director, I was not hoping he would confirm me, but that he would give me a way out. If I could be shown to be wrong in some fundamental way, I thought all would go away. That Priest was more uncomfortable with these things than I am, but he quickly figured out I was trying to get out of it, not convince him of it. After one particularly intense visit where I told him some wild things, he grinned broadly and said, “Sorry Charlie, nothing contrary to faith and morals there.” (I didn’t begrudge him a little glee at my discomfort; Lord knows I caused him enough discomfort.) (Note – That first spiritual director, Fr. Bill, died on Jan. 3 this year. Once, he had told me that even if I was right on all things, he wouldn’t live to see the Storm. Before I thought, I told him he would live to see the Storm, but not to the fullness of Rescue – CJ) If I am going to go into full confession here, even some of my disorders had less to do with reveling in the sin than they did a panicked effort to get myself disqualified.

For a time I played a sort of “chicken” with God. I would boldly proclaim to my superiors what seemed to me the most outrageous stuff in the hopes that this would be the one that got me out of this. At other times, I would be directed to say something particular to someone that I really did not want to. Sometimes I would procrastinate. But that was not good. It would sit like a rock in my stomach, getting heavier and heavier until I was done with it. I would usually console myself that, well, maybe this would be the one that would prove me a fool and set me free…and then get it out.

I argued sometimes with God that there were so many people who were purer, smarter, braver than I am that surely I misunderstood. I argued that if He would just show everyone what He was showing me there would be no need for a Storm. I used every argument I could to get out of having to speak – and then act – on these things. Our Lord was often amused at my antics, but never moved. Finally, one Sunday at Our Lady of Snows Shrine in Belleville, Illinois, Our Lord visited me and told me why me. It was just four words: “Because you were willing.” I was willing to look the fool in order to be true. I was willing to forego any real career to be ever ready to answer the call should it come. I was willing to forego many comforts and security that were perfectly licit, but would compromise my promise. And I was willing when I largely did not believe it, where many would avoid the consequences even if they were absolutely certain of it. I always figured that, just in case it were true, people would really need someone who had undergone a lifetime of instruction when the crisis was upon us. It is why I often end my presentations by telling people that God is not interested in whether they are worthy. He already knows, with each of us, that we are not. He is interested in whether we are willing. If we truly are, He will make of us a useful tool in His hand. I finally concluded the Storm would come, whether I kept my promise or not. Better to weather it keeping the promise as best I could.

What I have long focused on is not proving I am right, but simply being true to the promise I made to God, however fearsome it may sometimes be. I cannot know that I am right on all things: in fact I know I will turn out to be wrong on some. (This does not include the collapse of the political system or the Rescue – these are things I have been told plainly and directly). (Note – Even on this, of which I was certain, I misread the Rescue as an event rather than a process. The Rescue DID begin on Sept. 23, 2017, with the Revelation 12 sign in the sky. I am usually most careful on what seems most straightforward – for that is what most often trips me up these last ten years. – CJ) What I can do is be true…try my best to defend the faith, hearten the faithful, and defend the faithful while telling all, “Be not afraid: God calls all men to salvation.” So long as I am true, acknowledging and abandoning error as soon as I discover it, treating all with the fullness of the dignity of God’s children even as I exhort them and never making it into a mere contest of will, God will draw fruit even from my misfires and errors. It is a great comfort. I have NO confidence that I will regularly get it right, but I have ABSOLUTE confidence that if I stay true and focused, God will make a straight way even through my crookedness. To know a little is not to exercise dominion over others, but to be held to a stricter accounting before God. Any who truly understand that will seek to banish all hint of vain pride.

“Truly I say to you, tax collectors and harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.” – Matthew 21:31

We have stepped out onto the precipice of social and cultural collapse. As the spectre of Venezuelan-style collapse hovers over all the world, I find myself worrying less about those who have lost the faith or despaired of it than I do those who think they have mastered the faith.

None of us can divine the mind of God. But many of the seemingly most pious have convinced themselves that they have. Sometimes people try to draw me into an argument over the interpretation of prophecies such as the three days of darkness, the illumination of conscience or the warning. They have figured it out exactly and they can’t accept me as authentic unless I agree with their interpretation. They must prove to me that they are right. What I usually have a hard time getting across is that I don’t care. Frankly, if the conventional interpretations prove to be correct, it would make my job MUCH easier. So if conventional interpretations prove right, I will be grateful, not sulky. I am not offended at almost any interpretation of various prophecies so long as it is not contrary to faith and morals – and so long as the interpretation is not treated as the only possible way. Shoot, I even think there is merit to those who think the consecration of Russia as spoken of at Fatima is ongoing, not fully accomplished – but well on its way. So long as those who think that do not make of a sainted Pope, a holy Pope Emeritus, and one of the visionaries into liars and conspirators to deceive the faithful, I am okay with them. The Church, even when caked with layers of mud, is God’s safe haven for us in these times and I do not abide attacks upon her (not to be confused with the fraternal criticism of loyal sons and daughters). But for many, they have come to value their private interpretations – or their favorite interpreter – with such covetous self-regard that they would not abandon them if God, Himself, came to correct them.

That actually happened once. When Jesus came, the dregs of society, those who had been cast off and rejected by the pious, rejoiced and found their faith anew. But those who were the most learned, who knew the Scriptures and the Prophets backwards and forwards, were not impressed. They not only did not believe He was the Messiah, they could PROVE it with Scripture and theology. The Pharisees, Sadducees and, above all, the Sanhedrin had spent a lifetime divining the mind of God. They had looked into the mirror on the wall and determined to their own satisfaction that they were, indeed, the most pious of them all. They were not about to let this unlettered young upstart from Nazareth suggest they had anything to learn. So when God, Himself, came to help and correct us, the most despairing and disreputable took new heart. The most pious of them all conspired to crucify Him. It should strike terror in the heart of all who think they have divined the mind of God.

When someone lashes out at me because I don’t share their favorite conspiracy theory or their favorite interpretation of some prophecy, I am not interested in proving I am right and they are wrong. I don’t care. I only want them to stay open and not get so vested in their own certainty that they have divined the mind of God that they do not lose faith or seek to crucify Him anew if it turns out they are wrong. I do not even want them to concede that I am right: they may be right on a particular interpretation and I, wrong. They should advocate for their position with vigor, but without covetousness.

Before this Storm is over, each and every one of us is going to find that we have been wrong about something we cherish. I don’t worry about it: I spent several decades being shown how little our understanding is. But if you cast your lot with the Sanhedrin and sputter with rage at the very idea that you have not accurately divined the mind of God, you will be lost. Whether you are right or wrong about any particular matter (always obeying the Church on defined matters of faith and morals), you can always be true, humbly acknowledging God, taking the next right step, and being a sign of hope. That is what matters.

I don’t like being called a mystic, a prophet, or a visionary. I am just a guy with one of the weirdest jobs in history, stumbling forward and trying to be true. Oh, that we could abandon all white-collar pretensions and just do the blue-collar work right in front of us!

We are all about to enter into an hour of visitation. If you find you have been mistaken about something, don’t double down on the error to assuage your vanity. Just humbly look to the Lord and be true.

183 thoughts on “Seek to be True, Not Just to be Right”

  2. Thank you, Charlie! Definitely challenging words for a challenging time. Praying for openness and willingness to do God’s will and for healing for everyone who has wounds as a result of this spiritual confusion. Recently we went to a meeting of concerned citizens over what is going on in the nearby city’s public library. The graphic novels are full of graphic information in the young adult section in the library where the meeting took place and the nearby library recently had DQ children’s story hour this past Saturday. The response from the library where the meeting was held was polite but the thought was – the LGBT community are our constituents and this is our culture. The confused culture is heartbreaking but the polite, calm demeanor of the library workers when pictures from the novels were shown to them was even more disconcerting. It seems like the satan has paralyzed people with a heavy anesthetic to truth. As I listened in awe I was very thankful to the very eloquent people who were there to speak truth.

    Liked by 9 people

    1. Those library workers are not of us. They are not there for you. They serve a different master and their preferences are the fruit of who they serve.

      IMHO it is past time to carve out are own civic spaces apart from them. Our own libraries, schools, parks etc with our Lord’s fruit blossoming.

      Now, “can they repent?” is a beautiful question and hope. Of course they can and we avidly pray and work for it.

      Yet, our primary responsibility is to the Lords own. I think St. John makes this clear. I am willing to be corrected on this matter.

      Related note…saw 500 women praying the rosary in protest of LVGTYSADWQPOIMNLKJZXC3 story hour. beautiful to behold,

      Christendom is reasserting her (?) self

      grace and peace to you

      Liked by 6 people

      1. Timothy: “LVGTYSADWQPOIMNLKJZXC3″… you’re cracking me up, man! I realize that this is a deadly serious topic, but I had to laugh at your “acronym.” 🙂

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        1. I have a friend who calls it LGBTQWERTY. He is a man who had male to female surgery and has now realized it did not solve his issues. He is going back to living as a man. However it is a real struggle for him now as his body is mutilated from the surgery and he has serious health issues from a life time of female hormones. After surgery, a person has to stay on hormones for the rest of their life to mainain the ruse. He has a lot of anger at the establishment that has promoted the transgender agenda. Please pray for him. He goes by the name Rene. God bless!

          Liked by 5 people

          4. So sorry for Rene. God bless him. Praying for God to guide him to help many others who have been hurt that way, as well as help others who are considering that drastic surgery.

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            1. Suicide rate actually goes up after surgery.  The left wants you to believe it is because they are discriminated against, but that is not the case at all.  When they have surgery and discover the underlying issue is not resolved, they are now more alienated and despair kicks in much more.  My friend has filled me in on this and has attempted suicide on multiple occasions.  I can understand his anger as he was sold a bill of goods by the psychologists who are pushing this.  Thank you for prayers for him.  He is going through a conversion and I am trying to be. Good friend to him.  He has helped me a lot as my son is dealing with this too and has drank the Koolaide.Sent from Doug’s mobile

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                2. Here is a video from my friend speaking out to help others struggling with gender dysphoria. I am one of his friends that advise him not to use the F word 😎. I take him where he is at as he is doing what he can to help others. I think this is noble.

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                  1. Wow! There is so much grace at work here. I think that Rene is a sign of hope. Prayers for Rene in the work that God is calling us all to do. He uses our biggest wounds specifically to bring hope and healing to us and others. Thank you and prayers on Rene’s journey.

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                  2. God is doing a good work through Rene. Prayers for Rene and asking Rene that we all pray for each other. God has great plans for Rene!

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                  1. Wow, Doug! 4 minutes into it and it’s good stuff, straight from the horse’s mouth. God bless Rene for speaking truth. Gotta take care of some things but I’ll be returning to listen to the whole talk. Thanks for sharing.

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                  2. Thanks for sharing, Doug. So sad. My daughter in law is in this situation, too. Wish the psychiatric community would help those with this problem…problem is putting it mildly. Instead they exacerbate it. Do you think Rene will decide to go back to living as a man?

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                    1. Kim, his gender dysphoria is gone.   The issue is how much effort it takes to go back now, change name, surgery to undo breast implants, a life of female hormones and no male hormone producing organs anymore.  Health issues due to a life of female hormones.  Changing name again is hard.  It is contradictory in that there is so much push to change your name and it is easy if you declare yourself transgender, but to do it again to go back is difficult and no one is advocating in the reverse direction.  I commend him for speaking out.As for your daughter in law, I recommend a couple of books.First, Rene wrote one.  “Don’t get on the Plane, sex change surgery will ruin your life.Second, and this is very instructional, is “When Harry Became Sally” by Ryan Anderson.  Best book on the subject to date.Blessings and prayers for your daughter in law!Sent from Doug’s mobile

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                    2. So horribly difficult to undo! I didn’t think about all that it would entail. I mis-typed– it is not my daughter in law– it is my step daughter. She has cut herself off from all family-even liberal ones who support her. She’s also across the country from us. I would love to somehow suggest this book to her. I wish Rene could talk to her. It’s all so heartbreakingly tragic. Terrible conclusions are springing from profound woundedness.

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                    7. Whoops! I typed it wrong. Sorry. I stuck an extra “s” in there by mistake. Here, I copied and pasted from an email he sent me. This should work.
                      (Here’s Beckita’s wee edit on that email address) renejaxiwritebooks – at – gmail – dot – com

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                    1. (Editing Rene’s email address, Doug, so it’s safe from bots. Breadoflife, just remove the spaces from everything written below and voila! you’ll connect with Rene.)

                      Rene jaxi write books @ gmail .com

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                    1. Yes rpaw.  It is on YouTube and Rene encourages to pass it along as seen fit.God bless you!DougSent from Doug’s mobile

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              2. Oh Doug, what a horrific tragedy! Definitely need to remember to pray for all those who have been deluded with the disgusting lies. Prayers for Rene as he continues to heal.

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                1. It is horrible Kim. My heart aches for these people as they are led down a Pide Piper path. The psychological industry is perpetuating an evil to make this disorder something that is so called “ok”.

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          5. Doug, I have a friend named Renee who is L of the LGBT. . . group. I pray for her daily and now I will add a second Rene on my list. If you can, pls keep my friend in your prayers, as well. God bless.

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            1. Will do Dan.  I will pray for the 2 Renes.  We already pray for the “4 Katies”.  One of the Katies belongs to someone here.Sent from Doug’s mobile

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              1. And Boy oh Boy! Your prayers are so wonderful, Doug and Lambzie :-)… as are the prayers of each and every one of us. When we pray in one mind and heart for one another and this world, God is beyond generous. The community that resides in this home makes us a House of Prayer.

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      2. What I don’t get is why people would bring their children to a DQ story hour. I know there are some nut-case parents, but that many? It’s irritating that disordered lifestyles have hijacked words like DQ—always meant Dairy Queen to me–and gay (used to mean happy or joyful), the rainbow, etc…..

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        1. I must confess, Kim, that this question blows my mind, too. Who ARE these parents?! If there were a million parallel universes, there would not be a single one in which taking your toddler to a DQ story hour would be a good idea – and ours might be the only one where there was a significant pool of parents both stupid and pathetic enough to think it was a good idea.

          Liked by 8 people

        2. DQ in our day clearly stood for Dairy Queen, a place where the kids might get a buster bar if they behaved at story hour. Our DQ had a cornfield on two sides and our small public library was just two blocks up from the Church. There, the wee ones circled up, sitting Indian-style (yeah, that was a perfectly acceptable word then)… rapt attention directed at the story-teller who was some wonderful ole’ grandma, perfumed with the honest scents of pancakes, bacon and dish soap. The only agenda was grannie instilling a love of reading, by bringing some unforgettable classic to life!!!

          Sounds like a plan.

          Liked by 7 people

        3. Kim and Charlie, please enlighten me, what does the “D” stand for? Like Kim, I see DQ and think Dairy Queen, at which point I start thinking, well, why *wouldn’t* they take their kids to a Dairy Queen library show? Then I realize what it actually means. Charlie, you wonder where these parents come from, but I immediately think about the much larger pool of parents who take their kids to Pride parades. I lived near San Francisco for a number of years and never *ever* went to a Pride parade. I don’t oppose gayness per se, but I think Pride parades to be a not-subtle way for the satan to persuade people it’s OK, for just one day, to break the rules and do stuff you otherwise would never do or would be arrested for (rightfully so). Is it an accident that these demonic outbreaks are named after the satan’s primary sin? Since that first Pride parade I heard of in SF, the use of “Pride” in any parade name has been a source of deep discomfort for me. Isn’t it interesting that even when we might suitably celebrate, say, America, that we tag it with a word connected to the satan’s greatest sin, and he gloats that he has slithered into even legitimate celebrations? I’m probably overreacting, but my reactions are nonetheless ones of discomfort in all of this.

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        4. It is shocking and unbelievably so, there were a good amount of male-female led families that were there. The transgender drag adult entertainment group were there to read stories to the kids (and their adult friends were there to enjoy the show) It is sad and unbelievable that such a thing isn’t illegal.

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          1. thankful4mercy, in days as a young mother, this would have been considered lewd behavior and child neglect. However, just a couple decades later it appears that law enforcement and child protective services have become widely corrupted. Our prayers, votes and involvement in community affairs is a slow but steady resolve. This too shall pass. Thanks be to God. ❤

            Liked by 2 people

          2. Just found this success story about thwarting a local Drag 101 class. Interesting that the warrior here is a Johnston. 😉

            Liked by 1 person

        5. I know KIMSEVIER, and now they want to replace any gendered terms such as policeman, manpower, mother earth or manhole etc. with a gender neutral term. And God forbid if you use the word “queer” in any circumstance. Pretty soon I’ll have to learn a whole new vocabulary. 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

      3. Thank you, Timothy! The thought of a beautiful, virtuous library full of great books really makes me happy! Sometimes I think of tacking that on to a movie theatre with great movies too.

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  3. It seems like I just read this article a month ago. Where did those 3 years go?
    Speaking of process rather than event…when I look back at the handover of power from Obama to Trump, it wasn’t a complete handover. If I remember correctly, you wrote on this subject, Charlie. It still hasn’t been completely turned over with so many undercutting the president at many turns.

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    1. From a certain perspective, HttP, I see what you are saying, yet, the prophecy concerning the handover was time sensitive. An event or a series of events, occurring any time around the election and/or leading up to the Inauguration, surely could have prevented the Inauguration from happening. However, the day before the last Inauguration, Charlie wrote in his piece, Time to Choose:

      “By this time tomorrow, we will know whether or not there has been a peaceful transfer of power from Barack Obama to Donald Trump…

      I have thought a lot about what to put up as we enter these moments. Whatever happens tomorrow, the world is in serious trouble. Each of us will have to choose whether to follow God in simplicity and humility, whether to live solidarity with each other or tear each other apart in chaotic times. Then we must take responsibility for the things we say and we do. The process I described in the piece, “All In,” is one that everyone of us will have to live to endure this year.

      I will have a post up on Saturday. Whether it is my last or not is in God’s hands. I have spoken candidly, boldly without giving counsel to fear – and take full responsibility for it. As this year unfolds each of us will have to do the same. This will help.-CJ)”

      Charlie owned the error, honestly and humbly and, as promised, removed himself from the public scene.. until the Lord was calling him back to the work which needed to be continued. After that Inauguration, bad actors in this nation assaulted President Trump, his administration and our country by mounting – and trying with everything they could think of, breaking law after law after law, – a soft coup while the cold second civil war – which was well in progress in the years before the election – ramped up to raging at fever pitch. I think this is what comprises the undercutting of the President to which you refer.

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      2. “Charlie owned the error, ”

        Which is what a man of God does and why I still read this blog

        Our Lord has a beautiful, kind and gracious sense of humor. If tomorrow the world awoke to Him and a millenia or ten of peace, faith, fidelity and love broke out completely disproving Charlies writings we would still love him. Belly laughs all around!

        grace and peace

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        1. I’ve been out of the loop off and on from having a truck blow a water pump as we were on a narrow road traveling up the mountain. After much storming heaven with the eloquent prayer of Help! Help! Help! We were able to get the 5th wheel unhitched. We coasted-really in neutral- down the mountain before the engine completely gave out. At one point we had to go over a little incline, the speedometer was slowly inching towards 5 mph. Man, I was begging all of the angels for help…we actually sped all the way up to 20 mph! We were blessed with a fine young man from our church as our tow truck driver. Simply ama zing.

          Anyway, I finally got back to reading some of the posts.
          My apologies if some were offended when I made the observation of the soft coup. I was in no way accusing Charlie of anything. I had forgotten it was written that it was supposed to be an event.

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  4. Thanks Charlie for this post. It is very consoling to me. I sort of laugh at the thought that I wasn’t even able to form the words to ask you about some of those prophesies (3 days of darkness, illumination of the soul, etc) when you visited us in Solon. I guess I just felt compelled to receive whatever you were offering and not let me get in the way by asking such questions. Thank you, again, for making a stop here and for keeping your promise to God. Staying willing and thankful God will give me whatever grace I need to do his will.

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  5. One of the cautions given to anyone who is looking for guidance is to look for someone who is true, someone who lives what he espouses. So often these days, we find that people who set themselves out as an expert in how to live often do not live what they espouse. Behind the scenes they are disrespectful of those they ensnare, or worse.

    I’ve been discussing various matters with Charlie since I first came to his original blog in mid-2014. I’ve worked with Charlie since Sept of 2015. He has visited my home three times in the past few years while out on his treks around the country.

    For those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to meet Charlie, to get to know him behind the scenes of his blog, I thought it might be helpful if I take this opportunity, after Charlie has republished this article, to let people know that Charlie lives his words.

    We all make mistakes. We all get off the track at some point. That’s OK. It’s human to be in error periodically. What matters is as Charlie says in this powerful post. I just want everyone reading my comment to know that my experience with Charlie has shown me he lives these words every day. Whether he is wrong or right on any particular point, he is indeed always true to his calling and his message … and to you.

    Liked by 17 people

    4. Wow Steve, what wonderfully kind testimony! Of course, I love visiting you and your Mom. Every time I am there I meet some cool new (and often quirky) people. Your lovely home is one of my favorite spots in the whole country – at least in large part because of the wonderful hospitality there.

      Ha! Back when I was in radio, it always amused me that so many people told me, upon first meeting me, that I sounded just like I did on the radio. What did they expect me to sound like? But I, too, have met too many people with some prominence who were not at all what they appeared to be. I am consistent (and not clever enough to cultivate two separate personalities. Just one is exhausting enough!)

      Liked by 12 people

      2. Hahaha…speaking of ur radio voice…I still think you sound, look and even have similar mannerisms to Nick Nolte…we are running out of time for him to play you in Abrahams journey movie..lol…but sort of cool 😃

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    6. I love Chalies story about the Dog who fetches the stick and keeps going. He talks about tripping all over himself and getting that stick. My take away is he never gives up in spite of any obsticles. No matter how often the stick is thrown or where it lands, he is gonna go get it. That leads to him being a game little fella. That inspires me.

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      1. So true, Doug. And I must say you and Charlie are cut from the same “game little fella” cloth… albeit with different life circumstances, different missions, different personalities, etc. In the many snippets of your life story shared here, you have revealed your own version of never giving up as you ever hearten others, despite your trials. You are deeply in love – in both words and deeds – with God, His Mother, your wife, your children and any neighbor so blessed to cross paths with you.

        God bless us all as we strive to live what we profess.

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        1. So true Beckita. And here we see the manifestation of the Spirit through His chosen people, working in different but similar ways (the same cloth) as a sign of hope to us of His presence in our lives.
          “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.
          There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
          There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
          Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
          Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
          And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.”(turtle whispering?)
          (Corinthians 12).

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        3. Thanks, Doug– I had seen that and emailed him. He responded right away. Appreciate both of you!❤

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      2. In my minds eye, I see us all here at ASOH as puppies surrounding the feet of our good Lord. Tails wagging, falling all over ourselves just trying to please our Master and be near Him. Blessed be God forever.

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  6. “If We Don’t Speak Now”
    https://gatesofvienna.net/2019/07/if-we-dont-speak-now/

    Worship group stops at Chick-fil-A, busts out viral rendition of ‘Lean on Me’
    https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/worship-group-chick-fil-a-lean-on-me

    Trump abortion restrictions effective immediately
    https://www.apnews.com/e0bf2658969c482bb9addf40eb5bd667

    Meanwhile in The People’s Democrat/Socialist Republic of New Jersey:

    PRIESTS, LAITY ARRESTED FOR TRYING TO SAVE BABIES IN NJ ABORTION MILL
    https://www.churchmilitant.com/news/article/two-priests-dragged-from-new-jersey-abortion-mill

    Group sues Boston for banning Christian flag, approving 284 others
    https://www.foxnews.com/us/boston-lawsuit-christian-flag-religious-discrimination

    I Went to a Socialism Conference. Here are My 6 Observations.
    https://stream.org/went-socialism-conference-6-observations/

    I’m Begging Crazy Democrats to Keep Talking
    https://www.newsmax.com/wayneallynroot/democrats-kamala-harris-trump/2019/07/15/id/924470/

    GOD SAVE ALL HERE!!

    Liked by 13 people

    1. Thanks, CrewDog; I hadn’t seen the news about the abortion restrictions. Praise God, and may the restrictions survive the court challenges.

      Liked by 5 people

      2. I don’t know anything about Scherie, but I get a good feeling from her: Eyes are the windows to the soul. And from a purely political perspective, as a black, female, immigrant, and conservative, she is a powerful threat to the Left’s narrative.

        Here’s Scherie’s video. Send the link to friends.

        Liked by 7 people

    3. Its been a while since I have visited friends, and chimed in. I have lurked at times, but just a quick check- in. Crew Dog is still at it, I am happy to see, and really, happy to see the old bunch of you together, cheerful & chummy and always. I always feel kinship here. I love you guys. Just wanted to add a note here after reading CD’ s first shared article. It is this: it makes me very sad to think that the “progressive and P.C.” thought so pervades people that they must have forgotten that they have a God who will provide, who is ALWAYS faithful to provide, when we go out on a limb for Him. Since they seem to forget this, they allow the P.C. crowd to dictate their lives, afraid to lose jobs, friends,etc. So sad to me that they have forgotten what a good and faithful God we have. I am mainly thinking of those who say they have a relationship with God. Just my two cents.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Prayers needed for David Daleiden’s legal case in tomorrow’s hearing. Below is an excerpt from a mass email sent by his attorneys at Thomas Moore Society

    “We have a major hearing in David Daleiden’s civil case with Planned Parenthood coming up fast on July 17th.

    Judge Orrick will hear motions for summary judgment – both ours and Planned Parenthood’s.

    This hearing could have HUGE implications for David and his case, and our attorneys have been working around the clock to prepare.

    As you may know, the Thomas More Society became involved in David’s civil cases years ago because Tom Brejcha is one of the leading attorneys in the country for RICO (racketeering) lawsuits, having won one of the largest RICO lawsuits targeting pro-lifers ever at the U.S. Supreme Court.

    Tom and Peter Breen, our Vice President and Senior Counsel, have been leading the charge on our efforts in all things David Daleiden.

    In fact, Peter will be leading the argument on critical motions for summary judgment on Wednesday –…”

    Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Victory, and Seat of Wisdom please intercede for a positive outcome for David and his team. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

    Liked by 18 people

    3. Thanks Maggie. I’m Praying for David’s success, but in reality those prayers are for all of mankind. I firmly believe we must close down p/p or face a more intense chastisement because of the evil of this organization/abomination.

      Liked by 9 people

    5. @Maggie: Prayers answered! Per LifeSiteNews: David Daleiden, CMP founder and project lead, notes, “Now that all the facts, evidence, and testimony are in, even Planned Parenthood’s favorite judge refuses to buy into the abortion giant’s fake news and lies about the honest motives and protected speech of pro-life citizen journalists. Planned Parenthood is a government-sponsored crime syndicate selling baby body parts like widgets on an assembly line and should only appear in federal court as a criminal defendant.”

      Liked by 2 people

      1. For sure, Islam. All glory, honor and praise to the Trinity for prayers answered; gratefulness to Our Lady of Tepeyac for her powerful intercession, and to our online prayer warriors for all posted petitions.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Charlie, I just read this to Michael…he thinks ur soooooo funny. He chuckled often..lol…then he said. “Wow!!! Charlie can write!!! I met him once!!!”

    I want to apologize too as I keep referring to u as a mystic..I can just see you cringe and swipe your hair from your forehead…hahahahaha….

    great piece though…

    also sort of cool…you and Desmond put up similar Posts that had similar insights today…fascinating. ..are you two brothers????😆😆

    Liked by 5 people

      1. Michael talked about you all night, tonight Charlie..you really made an impression on him!!!

        While he ate his ice cream…not Haggen Daz …but in the middle of his divine delacasies (salted carmel…bryers…😲) He said, “I hope Charlie gets some Haggen Daz tonight..

        Btw…just so you know…Michael cannot operate a smart phone too well. He is a foundryman/machinist so his fingers are often too sore and swollen to handle little things or keyboards…even when he tries to get ibuprofen most of them end up on the floor. He has a flip phone. That is why I read to him ur posts, Charlie and respond for him…lol…cute story.😃

        Liked by 6 people

          1. Thank you Doug..yes, CHARLIE won a fan that day in Jackson MI…as I said, he can’t do it himself…his fingers are too sore to touch little things…poor Michael hot as hades todsy in foundry..he poured a lot of molten alluminum

            Liked by 3 people

  10. “Because you were willing”

    This is our Lord.

    Frankly maddening at times as He (gently, mostly) brings us to His way, our trust in Him is our only way forward. Maddening because I see the obvious solution and He refuses to do things my way and insists that He is the only way

    NOT PLEASANT!!

    I believe He enjoys and delights in our growth even though we (I) do not relish the process. Yet, He is the only way and we/I are reconciled to that. He leaves us with nothing but Him and we (grudgeling) are “reduced” to “I am willing. It stinks, mind You and I don’t like it at all and I very much doubt I am hearing/sensing the Word of God, but..,,grrrr, I am willing”

    Now put that! on a prayer card!

    Liked by 14 people

    2. I love your comment, Timothy. “Because you are willing” resonated with me also. I can be equally frustrated at times. Our Unbound leader stepped down and my pastor asked me to step in to help facilitate training. I, also am in training, I have felt unqualified. But, it seems God uses those who are willing to step up. We are having an Unbound Conference in Northern California, at my Parish, in a couple of weeks. We are meeting every week to prepare, keep us in your prayers.

      Liked by 10 people

      1. Surely praying for you, Sheralyn, and all involved in the wonderful ministry to which you’ve been called… a next right step that will bring people in deeper union with God. Beautiful!

        Liked by 6 people

      2. SHERALYN . . . may I ask the approximate (or exact) location “in Northern California”? I am in the Napa/Sonoma area.

        Liked by 3 people

        1. Sure Patrickfgh,
          The Unbound Conference will be at St. Isidores, in Yuba City on Saturday August 10th. The sign up information is in our Parish website. Hope you are able to attend!

          Liked by 2 people

            1. What is the date of the conference?  If I am out there, maybe I can attend.Sent from Doug’s mobile

              Like

                1. Thanks Sheralyn! Not sure my schedule for a trip out there. So not sure it will work. I assume one has to register in advance? Is there a web link?

                  Like

      3. I would say ‘disorienting’ as that is what it feels like. yet, ‘reorienting’ , upon experience is a more accurate word.

        Prayers most definetly offered and please keep us informed.

        Liked by 4 people

  11. A sign of Hope: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/amid-internal-dispute-over-mission-planned-parenthood-president-resigns
    prayers being answered from the Holy Face chaplet:
    1) May God arise and let His enemies be scattered and let those who hate Him flee before His Face!
    2) May the thrice Holy Name of God overthrow all their plans!
    3) May the Holy Name of the Living God split them up by disagreements!
    4) May the terrible Name of the God of Eternity stamp out all their godlessness!
    5) Lord, I do not desire the death of the sinner, but that he be converted and live. “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
    6) The “Golden Arrow” prayer (on the Crucifix):
    May the most Holy, most Sacred, most Adorable, Most Incomprehensible and Ineffable Name of God Be always Praised, Blessed, Loved, Adored and Glorified, In Heaven, on Earth and under the Earth, By all the Creatures of God, And by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ, In the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Amen.

    Liked by 12 people

  12. “try my best to defend the faith, hearten the faithful, and defend the faithful while telling all, “Be not afraid: God calls all men to salvation.”

    Such a simple, yet most profound message. In engineering, I find that it is usually the simplest of designs that are most eloquent, effective and reliable.

    Liked by 9 people

  13. Fb police banned this quote todat from St Augustine!!!😣

    Let us never assume that if we live good lives we will be without sin; our lives should be praised only when we continue to beg for pardon. But men are hopeless creatures, and the less they concentrate on their own sins, the more interested they become in the sins of others. They seek to criticize, not to correct. Unable to excuse themselves, they are ready to accuse others.

    Liked by 6 people

  14. The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak. I read that somewhere….
    Linda, I could picture Charlie wiping the hair from his forehead as I read your post. Either leaning forward to press a point or pushing that hair back like an exclamation point I just know he’s going to let out that booming laugh and bring us back to that blessed place of hope. Onward and upward!!

    Liked by 8 people

  16. Hi all,
    I was introduced to Q through this blog. He is talking of “Godfather III” which is the unveiling of evil players of the Vatican.

    Are you prepping us for the shock and dismay of the revealing, Charlie?

    You alluded some time ago that some who seem good are actually bad and some who seem bad are actually good.

    I feel things are speeding up.

    I keep hearing about satanic sexual abuse/ child trafficking. I keep looking for folks who turned away from their evil multi-generational evil heritage and worked for good and found God. How can they know better if groomed as children? And what a dark hell to live in such a web.

    Praying for all!

    Liked by 7 people

    1. Gosh, Little One, I think Charlie has prepared us well for what we are now living. In the TNRS pieces, I felt as if we were chicks and the Mother Hen was taking us through so many dimensions of traversing what we now live, choosing very carefully, article by article what to bring before us for consideration and discussion… all the while drawing us into building mental toughness, trusting totally in God, keeping our hearts soft enough to forgive yet firm enough to act with justice when someone must be held to account, and more…

      For sure, this revealing part can be tough, Little One, especially if someone is very sensitive when faced with graphic images – visual or written. I only read excerpts from the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report because I couldn’t stomach much beyond that. It was my job to take care of myself in this way. So, I would say, if someone is very sensitive when reading or hearing about these things, protect yourself and DON’T read the detailed reports because every sordid, depraved thing that we could possibly imagine, and more, goes on in satanic rituals, sexual abuse (which is by nature satanically inspired) and any human trafficking, both for children and adults, although what a compounded grief when a child is involved!

      Actually, already there has been ugliness revealed by some bad actors in the Vatican. Michael Voris, Taylor Marshall, Rod Dreher and Life Site News, among others, have reported some most horrific things. But, in the end, here’s what matters most to me… Jesus told St. Faustina that the greater the sin, the greater RIGHT that sinner has to His Mercy. And up to the moment of judgement, when someone rejects Him and chooses hell, Christ n.e.v.e.r. gives up on that one. The saddest part, there *will* be people who reject Him. Ugh. Our faith teaches us that we are not puppets of God. We must “choose or perish” as St. Gabriel told Charlie. Every.last.one.of.us. And since we don’t know, among those now far from God, who actually will choose Him or reject Him, every prayer for the conversion and salvation of souls matters so very much to our Blessed Mother. I believe the most pressing petition in her heart is saving each one of her children. What a Mother!

      Liked by 10 people

        1. God bless you, Little One. We’re in this together and in solidarity we will hold one another up as we continue on our way through this transition to a New Beginning.

          Liked by 3 people

  17. I have tried to comment lately with no success. But I have a prayer request from my heavy heart so I need to be tenacious. My Niece Shannon was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. We are waiting for pet scan results to see how far it spread. Our huge and close family is gutted. She is only 45 but each of us has turned to her at some point in our lives. She has an infectious laugh, is wise beyond her years and lights up every corner of every room she enters. Being a survivor myself, I recognize the beauty of God calling all of us closer to Him. Please pray for all the physical, emotional and spiritual healing in store for our family. Thank you friends!

    Liked by 10 people

    5. Prayers for Shannon! My Lambzie is a 3 time survivor of which one episode was breast cancer. God has used the trials to bring her/us closer to him and each other. God bless you!

      Liked by 5 people

  18. Prophecy is only 20/20 or at least more clear in hindsight. God can turn any situation into victory, the problem is we humans don’t like the feeling of loosing “in the moment”, so people side with whoever appears to be winning in the present thinking it will benefit them in the future. (These people lack the faith that God can & will always win.)

    You gave some good examples Charlie, on how God doesn’t need perfection & results from his creations, God just needs obedience & faithfulness, and God will provide the results (like with Joan of Arc).

    Liked by 9 people

  19. Praying for Holy Mother Church. Have you seen the $77M refurbished Crystal Cathedral. Big unveiling. sigh. Looks like a new age masonic temple. No thank you. 😦

    Liked by 6 people

    2. Thanks for the confirmation, Doug. But really, was there ever any doubt with Al Gore the spokesperson? I guess a broken clock is right twice in a day.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Thanks Charlie

    I never thought that the 3 days of darkness or the warning could play out some other way. I was so hardwired into literally interpreting that way. Atleast the warning. I hope though there is a mass awakening and it’s not like Jesus story or the current times where everyone misses it.

    I was really demoralized and dejected on the weekend as my Bro in law literally watches all anti Trump propaganda and
    he quotes super facial things like he everyone laughed at him at the UN, he cant speak, he wears a toupe, the same tie, baggy pants, why he cant disclose his tax returns like everyone else and he tells to grab….

    All this religion is nonsense 2000 years when man existed for 40k years and religion is all made up and there is no God
    . Then my brother listens to all his Chineese officemates and hates Trump as well then the family goes tag team on me having faith.

    I can equate Trump to the Rock from my dream I think deep down he is going to return USA back to its a Christians roots and people can only find trivial cosmetic leftist propaganda on him nothing else.

    My Brother called me as fundamentalist for getting so upset I told them in a dream I saw so many aborted babies I felt the calling to fight for them. I can see the President fighting for the babies and also exposing underaged sexual abuse. I keep asking if there is a God would a person who represents Him fight for these causes then super facial things?.

    In the end everyone tells me these things are eating me inside and I must accept the left and be in that top1% :(.

    My God doubles downs on me and I love dreaming of Him and I like to think I am in His little %.

    Liked by 9 people

    1. Praying for you, Josh, as you stay strong in the faith. I think most of us here have family and friends who do not see as we see or think as we think. Such scenarios as you describe bring to mind Charlie’s counsel about speaking true, yet often, when impasse is met, it’s better to cease from a fruitless argument. Not saying your discussions were fruitless, just remembering that wise counsel for consideration as we make our way through these times. God bless you, Josh.

      Liked by 4 people

    2. You hang in there, Josh. Sounds like your brother-in-law is infected with “clapping seals” disease. He wants to be part of what he thinks are the cool kids, so he listens to whatever they say and parrots it. Some of such people eventually tire of defending the indefensible, but others just keep pandering, desperately hoping that the mental deficients who comprise the modern version of cool kids will like them. In an evil age, a good man who is an independent thinker is always held in contempt by the cool kids.

      Liked by 7 people

    3. God bless, Josh. It all seems too much sometimes. I feel like I embarrassed myself ranting and raving to my family on the 4th of July even though they basically share my views. I started crying over abortion up to birth while snacking on tortilla chips and it definitely “killed the mood.” You’re brave to speak up. P.S.: I got a kick out of Charlie’s response about clapping seals. I’ve thought of the popular crowd as a chorus of barking seals.

      Liked by 6 people

    1. Thank you for sharing, SanSan. That picture shows two little ones watching this awful Pride Parade. Those poor little kids- the blonde one is covering her eyes, but there is no one to protect the little ones. This is the hardest part of this- those poor kids! Mother Mary protect all the little children and us all.

      Liked by 1 person

  25. As we seek to be true, not just right, I think of the humility it takes. It also takes humility to let go of sins, your own and others. My father said something to me today that I must share. As most readers here know, Dad is 95 and lives with us. He spends his days watching EWTN, Fox News and in deep communion with Our Dear Lord. Weeks back, Dad asked the question “ where did sin go after the Passion”? I wasn’t sure I understood the question but we talked a bit ( rather superficially on my part) then I forgot about it. I think he was asking where does sin go post Redemption. Today he told me he received his answer. It was profound. Dad began by painting a word picture: God created the world out of nothing. His Will brought it into being and His Will sustains it. If He ceases to think about any part of it, it ceases to exist. It is the same with sin. Sin, confessed and repented of ceases to exist. God ceases to think about it, He forgets it, thus is cannot exist. It vanishes. I am reminded of how I continue to beat myself up for sins I have long ago confessed. What a waste! They don’t even exist. What a wicked tool of the satan, to accuse in this way. As each of us receives our illumination of conscience in whatever manner the Lord gives it, we will do well to remember this lesson. My dad explained it better but this is how my feeble mind processed what he said. Dad ended with the charge to “pass it on”. And so I must.

    Liked by 13 people

    1. How awesome is this fruit of your father’s contemplation, Kris! Thank you for passing it on and, please, thank your dad for sharing it with us. Your dad echoes so many Scriptures in his wise and heartening conclusion:
      Hebrews 8:12: “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”
      Hebrews 10:17: “Then he adds, ‘I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.’”
      Proverbs 28:13: “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” Isaiah 43:25: “I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”
      Isaiah 55:7: “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”

      Me? I like the part where God has taken sinful areas of my life with the commensurate wounds and actually transformed it all. It was a priest who was preaching after a Fr. Gobbi cenacle who caught my attention when he said to give Our Lady our sins. Whaaaat? “Why would I ever offer my trash to her?” thought I. Oh man. Try it; you’ll like it because amazing things happen. And that’s scriptural too:
      Isaiah 1:18: “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”
      2 Chronicles: “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
      Revelation 21:5: “And the one sitting on the throne said, ‘Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.'”

      Liked by 6 people

      1. Thank you Beckita, for the wonderful scripture quotes that so beautifully verify what Dad learned. It is something I “knew” but connecting it to Creation took it to my heart in a way that blocks out the accuser. And yes, if we give EVERYTHING to Momma Mary, she will make it all better.

        Liked by 4 people

        1. Oh Kris, I love the way you describe your dear dad spending time in communion with the Lord. And I love your conclusion and counsel. Beautiful moments – and as you say, profound thoughts – happen in your home sweet home.

          Liked by 4 people

          1. Dad has his tv watching/ nap taking chair and his prayer chair. When he is in his prayer chair it’s as if he is totally unaware of the physical world around him. He doesn’t move and remains like that sometimes for hours. Dad’s prayer chair is also the chair we loaned to Nancy D. to use while she was in hospice care ( it’s a lift chair). She too spent hours praying in that chair. Nancy was a fellow TNRStepper who passed away on Sept. 23, 2017. Oh if that chair could talk!

            Liked by 4 people

            1. I remember Nancy and your wonderful friendship with her, Kris. May she ever intercede for us as we continue in this transition. Very cool that your dad and Nancy shared that chair and that you all share a deep faith. Absolutely beautiful!

              Liked by 2 people

    3. Kristen, that is beautiful! And makes such perfect sense! Thank you and thank your father. God bless.

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  26. Judge Upholds David Daleiden’s 1st Amendment Right to Expose Planned Parenthood Aborted Baby Part Sales — Praise the Lord!

    Liked by 10 people

      1. SJM: You can get lifenews.com delivered to your email address by signing up at the site. Good source of Catholic Church news.

        Like

    1. I saw this piece previously, Doug. Man oh man. That list puts an exclamation point on Charlie’s summation: We have a lot of wood to chop! At the same time, my heart skips a beat to think of the potential of a great harvest. That part of the wood chopping, once each one receives a visitation from the Lord, will be joyful with those who choose God rather than to perish.

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      1. Yes Becks.  It does mean wood chopping.  Unfortunately, I think it will take a major crisis to wake folks up to realize they are not in charge of their destiny.  Sent from Doug’s mobile

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Crazy! My cousin, who is a retired nun, lives in Holyoke!

      She entered to be a missionary but only got to go to Brazil for 1.5 years.

      Her order no longer wears a habit 😟

      Perhaps it would be good to correspond with her. I don’t know how left leaning she is. I sense some.

      Liked by 1 person

  28. Deacon Suspended As Journalist By EWTN
    English Deacon Nick Donnelly was suspended at the Catholic media network EWTN, he reports on Twitter (July 17).

    The culprits of the decision are EWTN’s Doug Keck and Michael Warsaw.

    Donnelly is an outspoken but deeply honest critic of Pope Francis. He defended Francis in the beginning, but later was forced by the facts to change his position.

    This is so sad. I’ve noted for a long time now that EWTN does not report “all” the Catholic news. Mother Angelica would have.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. This is for DanSouthChicago; I don’t know why it posted down here, considering that I hit the “reply” button under his request for prayers for his friend, Renee. Ah well… bing!

      Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.

Published by charliej373

Charlie Johnston is a former newspaper editor, radio talk show host and political consultant. From Feb. 11, 2011 to Aug. 21, 2012, he walked 3,200 miles across the country, sleeping in the woods, meeting people and praying as he went. He writes on cultural, global and political issues from an orthodox Catholic perspective. He emphasizes that we find God most surely through the ordinary, doing the little things we should with faith and fidelity. His constant refrain is that, to live real joy, we must acknowledge God, take the next right step, and be a sign of hope to those around us. He lives in the Archdiocese of Denver in the United States.